Wednesday, October 31, 2012

I'm always looking for creative ways to layer pieces in the colder months and lately I've been playing around with wearing vests over blazers & jackets under coats (great examples here, here & here). I really love the menswear-inspired vibe this particular combination has, which feels fresh & modern. Distressed jeans were the best way to balance out such buttoned-up, polished pieces...and the addition of pointy-toed pumps & sparkling studs helped give it a dash of femininity.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Since I've been receiving so many questions lately about my skincare & makeup, I thought I would do a post sharing with you the items I use every single day and cannot live without. I know that everyone has different preferences & coverage needs when it comes to foundation...and while your face makeup does play a role in the overall process, I chose instead to focus on the other products I use (and swear by) to create a flawless finish & help keep it that way.

Monday, October 29, 2012

I am definitely a sucker for military-inspired pieces...I've pretty much never met a gold-buttoned double-breasted blazer I didn't like (see the proof here&here). So when I came across this jacket on the girls clearance rack while shopping for my daughter, I quickly reasoned that I could buy it for her to "grow into" and until then, I would just borrow it on occasion. Needless to say, it's become a new favorite of mine - let's just say, I may have a hard time sharing when she's finally ready to wear it.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Sometimes all it takes are just a few glamorous accessories to elevate your look from basic to chic. These are some of my favorite ways to do just that ~ cat-eye sunnies, rich faux fur and leather...plus a dash of sparkle. You can't go wrong with these luxe pieces and, thankfully, you don't have to spend a fortune either!

Friday, October 26, 2012

It never fails...the day after my J. Crew catalog arrives in the mail, I have the overwhelming urge simultaneously wear all my bright-colored pieces at the same time. Does this happen to anyone else? This outfit was my compromise - still embracing fun colors (teal, hot pink + yellow) and mixing classic preppy pieces, but without going overboard. I originally planned to wear my hair up in a bun to finish the look, but haven't quite figured out how to do it with this shorter length yet - would love to hear suggestions if you have them!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Since so many of you wrote & told me how much you appreciated last week's "look for less" post, I decided to do another one...again specifically focusing on J. Crew styles that I found affordable similar versions of. I completely believe in certain investment items if they are things you know you will wear over and over again and will get your money's worth. That being said, sometimes finding wallet-friendly pieces is a great way to try out a trend without regretting it later when styles change.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I've been feeling a bit under the weather this week, but being a stay-at-home mom to 2 school-aged kids means I don't get the luxury of laying low for long. This outfit was my simple solution for looking polished & pulled together while dropping them off at school & running errands. The plush coat feels just like wrapping up in a big blanket - perfect for pairing with faux leather skinnies & a simple gray tee on days when I don't have the energy to put alot of thought into my look.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I have had a few reader questions lately about wardrobe essentials (see posts from last year here&here), so I'm sharing with you today some of my favorite picks for the season. I've arranged them vertically to show how I would layer them in an outfit. Just add your favorite jeans, cords or leather skinnies + a pair of booties...and you have 3 perfect fall looks! All the pieces below are easy to mix and match with other basics in your closet, are classics that will never go out of style & are under $70!

Monday, October 22, 2012

After wearing alot of black & white pieces last week, I felt a strong urge to break out of that rut and finally embrace the colors of the season. Believe it or not, this is my first time wearing a knit hat - I've been wanting to try one for a while after being inspired by so many photos I've seen on Pinterest (and also this post). To be honest, I am not sure if it is really me...but it is definitely practical since the chill of fall is already in full swing & the winter winds aren't far behind.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Since I was wearing trenches in 2 of my outfit posts this week, I received questions from several of you about finding an affordable trench coat. So I've put together a few budget-friendly options (in neutral colors & varying styles) for those who are searching for one to carry them through the rainy season.

Friday, October 19, 2012

When it comes to dresses, I typically gravitate towards fit & flare styles, simple sheaths or classic shifts. But when I came across this midi-length dress, something about the straight modern silhouette appealed to me. It's completely different from any other dresses I own, with a very sophisticated feel to it. And thanks to a subtle side slit, it was the perfect choice for a date night in the city on an unusually warm fall evening.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

I stumbled across some bracelets while browsing online at Forever 21 today and I couldn't believe the similarities to these J. Crew versions...only the price is much better! Obviously, these are not exact dupes, but very close in style & a great way to get the look for less!

When I was in NYC for fashion week, my blogger friends reminded me that I needed to do a post about my beauty tips. While I've shared some in the past (here), including my own personal routine (here & here), I wanted to focus this time on how to make the products you use on a daily basis last for as long as possible. No one likes it when a fresh manicure gets chipped within a matter of days or when their bold red lip starts to feather & fade by lunchtime. So, today I'm sharing my secrets with you - these are tried & true methods I've been using for years, but I'd also love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!

LIPS

1) First apply a primer around the rim of your lips to keep lipstick from feathering or bleeding (I swear by this one)2) Trace around the edge of lips with lip liner and then fill in lips completely with a liner that matches the color of lipstick you'll be using3) Using a lip brush, apply your lipstick color of choice4) Blot with a one-ply sheet of tissue & dust with translucent powder to set5) Reapply a second coat of lipstick*If you're not a fan of lipstick, this product will also last throughout the day and doesn't dry your lips out.

NAILS

1) Before starting, apply nail polish remover to a cotton ball & swipeacross each nail to remove any oils or residues that will prevent lacquer from adhering properly

2) Always use a base coat & top coat (my favorites here & here)3) The thinner the coats, the less chipping/peeling will occur4) Nails will chip at the tip first...so when applying lacquer, first do a horizontal swipe across the edge of the nail and then continue with your usual vertical strokes5) Things that cause polish to chip more quickly than it should - pressure (typing, texting) & heat (folding laundry straight out of the dryer, stirring a steaming pot over the stove)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I somehow justified wearing houndstooth again this week because this is a more exaggerated version of the print & therefore a completely different style (right?). I love shells like this because they are perfect for layering over other blouses or dresses & are so easy to dress up or down. If you haven't heard of Style by Marina before, you must go check out their site. In addition to having a very similar dupe to the famous Zara sequin clutch (here), they also have gorgeous apparel & jewelry - I'm seriously stalking thisjewel-collared blouse&mixed-print shirt...plus thisleather jacket is all kinds of amazing!